Double Rush creates big impression on first run for Balding

Double Rush has been backed to excel this season after he made a deep impression on his stable debut for Andrew Balding at Newmarket.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite for the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Handicap won by William Haggas’ More Thunder 12 months ago, connections are hopeful of charting a similar trajectory to the top having won handsomely by just shy of five lengths in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

“Oisin came back in and said he was a push-button ride and said he feels like a really nice horse,” said the trainer’s wife and assistant Anna Lisa Balding.

“I don’t think this is a massive surprise and Charlie (Hills, previous trainer) did a great job with him. We’ve been very lucky getting him in the yard and he’s been training really well, Andrew was hoping for a run like that today and we’re delighted.

“We could possibly follow the same route as More Thunder and if he could replicate him we would take that! He looks like he will be able to take a rise (in the handicap).

“We’ve got to treat him like a decent horse and when you win a race like that, you have to treat them like a good horse and work back from the right races.”